Your opinions on these breeds...

[Cavy]

Hi everyone! My name is Amy, I'm new to the dog section here but not new to the dog world! I've had dogs around the house since I was 6 and I currently have 1 little dog, Tucker, at the moment.

Anyways, I'm thinking about getting a second dog but as you all probably know much to well, there are alot of breeds not to mention countless amounts of mix breeds.

I've been doing my homework pretty well, internet, books, etc. and have narrowed it down to a couple of breeds and before I decide and start looking for a breeder, I would appreciate some opinions on breeds.

The breeds I'm concidering currently are Border Terrier and Sheltie. Now, I know they're very different but both sound excellent, but I'm not sure which one, if either, is right for my needs.

I'm looking for a dog who is as close to my somewhat loose requirements;
1. Must be fairly energetic. I'm VERY big on agility and involved with it quite a bit so I need a energetic breed. (Nothing too wild though... I can only handle so much hyperness!!!)
2. Must get along with other dogs, or at least tollerate. In agility you're around a variety of different dogs everyday, so a dog who is combative generally with other dogs is out of the question. I know socialization is the key, I am an experianced dog owner, but even when going on walks, a dog who gets along with dogs is prefered highly.
3. I'm looking for more of a one-person dog.
4. Trainable. Once again I'm back on the topic of agility, a trainable dog makes the whole process much easier. Also, just everyday having a dog who's eager to please whold be nice.

Now before I continue, I don't want anyone thinking the only reason I want a dog is for agility. Sure, it's a very fun and important sport to me, but I'm truely looking for a companion, agility is just a giant part of the bonding process to me ;)

Grooming isn't much of a concern, nor is shedding. Barking doesn't matter much, and size is pretty much a preferred 10-20lbs, take or give a few pounds.

Which breed do YOU prefer? Which sounds better to you for my situation? Any other suggestions of breeds that you think would be better for me?

Thank you so much for your time. I value you opinions a lot :D

[1993Kat1993]

Unless you are entering a agility compitition for purebreds only there are tons and tons of mix breeds who can do agility and you will still find what you are looking for. Take my lab beagle mix (rescued) for example.. 50 LBS, very muscular, not too tall, not too short.. And he can jump around 4 feet up. Today he's jumped the baby gate 4-6 times, he jumps onto my parents bed which is VERY tall and he can jump onto the clothes table downstairs. He runs like a cheetah. You can get a purebred if you want but I say look in a shelter. Just because you don't know wether or not a dog has agility in its blood doesn't mean it can't do it, wether or not the dog does have it in its blood. A dog can do anything, no matter the breed.

-`Ketlin

[Punkygirl0101]

Why don't you check Petfinder .com, and go to your local animal rescues. There are TONS of mixed breed dogs in shelters that would also fit your requirements.

[VelvetFuzzbutt]

I won't shove a shelter at you, as you are well aware of them. ;)

If your dog is going to be in regular agility competitions, than even the more active, known hyper breeds would probobly be fine. Niether of the breeds mentioned are known to be dog aggressive. Most any dog, if socialized properly from the start, will be fine. Medium sized dogs, from breeding that have retained their original working abilities seem to be the most successful in those competitions.

Shetland sheep dogs usually weigh more than your preferrence. Shelties are an extremely bright breed, take well to training and really seem to "need" companionship. Keep them busy, and if you get a puppy socialize extensivley as they sometimes become shy with strangers. Border terriers are pretty hardy from what i've read, they have great stamina and thats important in agility. I don't know much about the breed but they certainly are cute little beasts. ^^

I only have personal experience (limited) with a sheltie, and she is in no condition for agility. Shes a very good, obedient dog, and I noticed she very smart and observant. I agree that getting a mix would be great idea, though it would be nice to know the lines your dog comes from. I would speak with people you know and or speak to involved in agility. They should have a bit more insight on this. I personally see terriers as a good choice as they seem to never tire out!

[Cavy]

Thanks for the help everyone, and yes I know very well about shelters, I've rescued 3 dogs from the SPCA ;) and fostered ferrets from shelters. Although I'd love to adopt again, this time I'm looking for a puppy, although I will check petfinder in case.

I've had experiance with both breeds, mostly shelties though which is probably why I'm leaning towards a sheltie a little bit, the ones I've met are great. Border terriers, however, are awesome too. They've got alot of attitue packed into a little body.

Velvet- I've read that they usually weigh about 25lbs, do they?

Thanks for your help everyone! I still havn't decided so any more opinions would be great. Thanks for the fast replies, btw.

[VelvetFuzzbutt]

yeah, I believe thats the average. though I googled it and came up with a site saying 10-16lbs?? their weight should be proportionate to their height (13-16inches).

I am hoping to be able to do agility, flyball, and perhaps water retrieving would when I get older, or in a place where its possible. I personally want a Dalmation to compete with.

[1993Kat1993]

I don't think a sheltie could wheigh as little as 10 pounds. Jack russells wheigh 14-18 pounds. I don't see how a sheltie could weigh any less.

-~Ketlin

[CookieDough24]

I won't force shelters on you, as I believe that purebreeds are just as good as shelter dogs and need a home too!

Sheltie's couldn't weigh 10 pounds. They are light dogs, but that's way too light. I would personally get the Sheltie. Shelties are excellent at agility, much like other collie and shepherd breeds. Sheltie's are also very trainable, but I'm not sure if they would be a one-person dog, as they are very friendly and friend's with everyone. I'm not very familiar with Terriers, but I do know they are HYPERHYPERHYPER!! Maybe a little too hyper for you?

Good luck with your dog, whichever one you choose!

[Punkygirl0101]

I won't force shelters on you, as I believe that purebreeds are just as good as shelter dogs and need a home too!
No one said anything about purebreds. There are HUNDREDS apon HUNDREDS of PUREBRED dogs without homes in shelters and rescues...there are TONS of breed specific rescues that have PUPPIES as well.

[MokeyBird]

Shelties are absolutely AWESOME! They fit all of your "Criteria" to a 't'. Of course that is in my own opinion.

The AKC standard thing on the website says this about thier temperament.

Temperament
The Shetland Sheepdog is intensely loyal, affectionate, and responsive to his owner. However, he may be reserved toward strangers but not to the point of showing fear or cringing in the ring. Faults-- Shyness, timidity, or nervousness. Stubbornness, snappiness, or ill temper.

They are reputably yappy, and need the occasional grooming, but they are very smart, very athletic, and SO DARN CUTE!!!!

I have a little tri-color female, Ari(I'd be glad to show you some pics), who is slowly warming up to more people in my family other than me or my mom(kind of sad because I have ten people in my immediate family). So yeah, they are relatively "one person" dogs. It is commonly said that they are "Reserved with Strangers" and "Don't like to be touched by strangers." The first time I took Ari out in public, when someone went to touch her she literally sat back in my arms and turned her nose up almost like an arrogant snob.

Ari is probably 13 inches right now at the shoulder and can jump and nip us in the elbows.

You have to be patient with stairs. In my Sheltie search I read somewhere that they need to be trained to go up and down them, and I didn't take much mind of that until Ari was terrified to go down the stairs and hesitant to go up them. She's good now, but it took a lot of gentle coaching.

They LOVE to have a job, so agility would be a great thing for them. They are very willing and very smart. I am waiting on my sister's boyfriend to finish lining our barn before browbeating him into building me some equipment.

Border terriers are the "Toto" dogs aren't they?

[hitbystars]

Most jack Russell I've met are CRAZY... I got tired of playing with them before they did!

[Cavy]

Thanks very much everyone!

MokeyBird- Thanks for the great sheltie information and if it wouldn't be too much of a problem, I'd LOVE to see pictures :)

I've done alot of thought and alot more research and I'm still leaning towards a sheltie, they just seam special to me (and I think I've fallen in love with a few in the past). Any more opinions/info would be great!

[Mousarhinos]

A sheltie can definitely be 10 lbs. Its not the average size but it definitely happens. There is a 10 lb. sheltie that goes to my local dog park. She is purebred and actually came from a reputable breeder. She was very tiny as a puppy and sold as pet home only. She's had full work ups at the vets and there is nothing wrong, she's just really really little.
I have yet to meet a sheltie I didn't LOVE! My best friend has two shelties who are getting old now, but they have been and still are two of the best dogs I've ever met. When my friend was 10 or 11 she started training them (with the guidance of a kids book for dog training). They learned so many great tricks in such a short time. She even taught them hand signals for each command they knew!

My dog is half sheltie and half beagle. She is (of course!) the best dog ever!!! Hehe. She has both sides of her breeds, she's extremely smart, very obediant most of the time (except when she's being a beagle and hunting a scent).

Shelties, from my experience definitely tend to be very wary of strangers. In my opinion this is not a bad thing, as long as they are properly socialized and do not become aggressive towards strangers. They are a very very loyal breed!

[Cavy]

Thanks for the info everyone!

I've done even MORE research and I've settled on a Sheltie, thanks very much to everyones help. From my homework, I've decided a sheltie would be the closest-to-perfect breed I could find, not to mention I LOVE them.

I have a few questions, for you guys experianced with shelties.

1. Grooming- What kind of brush(es)? How often?
2. Food- How much do they generally eat? Compared to other breeds?
3. Sleeping- Does your sheltie/friends sheltie sleep on the bed, in his own bed, or in a crate?
4. Sleeping (again)- How do you train a dog to sleep on a doggy bed?
5. Is there a personality difference between genders?

Thanks for your help!

[MokeyBird]

Just Google variations of "Sheltie Info" or "Shetland Sheepdog Info" and so forth. The more creative you are in your search, the more info you will find.
http://www.sparkshire.com/sheltie_info.htm
http://www.dogpatch.org/sheltie/sheltieq.cfm
http://bowlingsite.mcf.com/SSlinks.html

My Sheltie kind of gets free choice of food. Being in a possible fast paced, hard core sport like agility, you might have to customize your future pup's diet to match his/her needs.

My Sheltie sleeps with me. I started her off in her crate for potty training purposes mainly, because who wants a dog to have an accident on thier bed? the first week or two on the bed, because I wasn't sure if I could trust her or not, I had a leash on her that stretched up enough to where if I unconsciously half sleepedly felt for it it would be next to me and I would know she was there.

As for their own bed, I've heard that after crate training, replace the crate with the bed of choice and routine or something will draw your dog to the bed. But I don't know. Somewhere will have to chime in on this.

As for crates, I bought this one off of ebay. It is absolutely great. I like it a whole lot. I wouldn't use the Buy It Now feature. I would say save some money and go for the auction price.
http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-30-Two-Door-Folding-Dog-Crate_W0QQitemZ130111502272QQihZ003QQcategoryZ2074 5QQcmdZViewItem

And then get some Cozy Crate Wear(seriously look for clearance):
http://www.petsmart.com/global/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=84552444178 0717&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302035804&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374302023689&bmUID=1179042115071&itemNo=6&In=Dog&N=2035804&Ne=2
and you've got your crate set up.


This is the best book you can have for Grooming. It is a little pricey, but SOOO very worth it. I truly love this book.
http://www.dogwise.com/itemdetails.cfm?ID=B2050

Haha, I'll need more than one post for pictures!

Here is my Groom Box.
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h146/MokeyBird/Ari/Groombox.jpg

Contents include(for the most part):
-the box itself
-a leash
-a small toothed comb w/ handle
-Ear Glue(hair extension glue from Sally's .99 cents. Only needed if you want tipped ears)
-nail clippers
-double sided pin brush
-metal comb
-various sized scissors(I use embroidery scissors)
-undercoat rake
-fav toy
-The Illustrated Guide to Sheltie Grooming.

*Not pictured: Water spray bottle and something else that I can't think of.

Here, I will post pictures of her from pup till now. She's still technically a pup(kind of), but just not a "baby".

This was a few days after I got her, playing with the cat.
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h146/MokeyBird/Ari/Ari4.jpg
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h146/MokeyBird/Ari/Ari34.jpg
I LOVE this picture! "Rar!"
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h146/MokeyBird/Ari/Ari32-1.jpg
Dat cute puppy face!
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h146/MokeyBird/Ari/Ari21.jpg
That is the cat on top.
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h146/MokeyBird/Ari/Ari14.jpg

Here she is in her Gangly "teenager stage" as I call it. Where she doesn't have the hair bulk of an adult.
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h146/MokeyBird/Ari/Ari48.jpg
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h146/MokeyBird/Ari/Ari59.jpg

Some "action" shots.
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h146/MokeyBird/Ari/AriSnow12-1.jpg
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h146/MokeyBird/Ari/AriSnow8-1.jpg

*intermission*

[MokeyBird]

Post #2

I've always wanted to Photoshop this picture into a skyline with a cape on her.
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h146/MokeyBird/Ari/AriSnow7-1.jpg

Before and After shots.

She was a man-eater then...
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h146/MokeyBird/Ari/Ari22.jpg
...and still is one now(taken last night).
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h146/MokeyBird/Ari/Ari-1-1.jpg
Wow, I'm wearing the same pair of pants....

So prim...
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h146/MokeyBird/Ari/Ari24.jpg
...and proper. Last night as well.
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h146/MokeyBird/Ari/Ari8.jpg

"That's right. Bow to me." Tonight.
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h146/MokeyBird/Ari/Ari12.jpg

I always have more. I hope you enjoyed them. I love having an excuse to take pictures of my loveies.

[Cavy]

Wow! Your pup is absolutely adorable, thanks for the pictres!

I found a breeder in my city and sent her an email a few days ago, I'm about to check for a reply.

Thanks for the great info, I bought most of the stuff in the grooming kit this afternoon and will talk to our vet and breeder asap. As for sleeping, he'll probably just sleep in my bed, because that how I've trained nearly ALL my dogs to sleep over the years.

Thanks!